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Council directs staff to negotiate limited MOU with Kukkiwon California for Taekwondo programming
Summary
Council members supported negotiating a memorandum of understanding with Kukkiwon California to host recurring Taekwondo testing, master courses and occasional larger events in Buena Park, directing staff to seek a time-limited pilot (council suggested two years and up to five city-facility uses per year, subject to city facility availability).
Buena Park ' The City Council on Jan. 28 directed staff to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with Kukkiwon California (the international Taekwondo headquarters) to explore hosting testing, master courses and events in Buena Park on a pilot basis.
Assistant City Manager Eddie Fenton introduced the item. Kukkiwon representatives said establishing a California branch could bring a mix of activities: monthly black-belt testing for lower ranks, quarterly master-instructor courses, and larger international competitions that could attract regional and international participants. Kukkiwon offered to provide low-cost or no-cost classes for residents if facilities are available; council members emphasized that any free community programming would need separate arrangements and could not be guaranteed by the city as part of the MOU.
Several council members expressed enthusiasm for the cultural and economic benefits but asked that the MOU be limited at first to avoid setting a precedent for long-term, subsidized facility use. Vice Mayor Connor Trout and others recommended a two-year trial with up to five uses of city facilities per year subject to calendar availability; council agreed and asked staff to return with a negotiated MOU and estimated costs.
What happens next: Staff will negotiate the MOU within the council'directed parameters, confirm facility availability with Community Services, and return the item for formal approval with cost and scheduling details.
